I would like to share with you a policy decision and an appointment announced by Dr Narendranath Reddy, Chairman, Prasanthi Council during the November 2016 meetings in Prasanthi Nilayam.

1.Revised Age and Terminology for Sathya Sai Youth Programme

The upper age limit for a Sathya Sai Youth will be raised from 35 to 40 years old. There are two outcomes from this revision:

a) The Sathya Sai Youth programme will meet the needs of those from 18 to 40 years old.

b) The terminology will change from ‘Youth’ to ‘Young Adults’ effective 1 March 2017 to reflect the characteristics of the expanded membership. Zones and countries are requested to update documents and websites accordingly with the new terminology before this date.

The reasons for this revision are as follows:

To create a structure within the Young Adults programme to facilitate mentoring and leadership for Young Adults and Young Adult leaders.

Senior young adults from 30 to 40 years old will take leading roles to implement the resolutions of the Sathya Sai World Youth Festival as well as the 10th World Conference of the Sathya Sai International Organisation.

2.Appointment of Deputy International Young Adults Coordinator

The expansion of the Young Adults Programme has identified a need for a Deputy to assist the International Young Adults Coordinator.

Mr. Deviesh Tankaria has been appointed as the Deputy International Young Adults Coordinator with immediate effect. Mr. Tankaria is currently the Chair of the Sathya Sai International Youth Leadership Programme and the Deputy Youth Coordinator for Zone 7.

Mr. Tankaria and I will oversee the progress of the sub-committees that have been formed to implement the resolutions of the recent Sathya World Youth Festival.

Zone Chairs and Zone Youth Coordinators are kindly requested to communicate this information to Central Coordinators, National Presidents and National Youth Coordinators for sharing with all Sathya Sai Centre/Group members worldwide.